Title: The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Author: Stephen Chbosky
ISBN: 978-0-671-02734-6
Recommended Grade Level of Reader: 9th and Up
Publisher: MTV
Media Type: Book
Copyright: 1999
Genre: Fiction
Reader's Annotation: Through letters to his friend, Charlie's true character is revealed.
Plot Summary: Charlie, the male protagonist is a high school student struggling with many issues common to teenagers. Charlie's story is told through a series of letters to an unknown friend. Through his letters the reader sees that Charlie is multi-faceted and has a propensity towards creativity. He writes and reads poems as a creative outlet. He also expresses a love for music. In sum, Charlie is a very unique, yet highly realistic and relatable character since he writes to his friend about issues ranging from alcohol and relationships to family and his best friend's suicide.
Evaluation: (A+) Chbosky utilizes a unique method of story telling. The creativity alone in using letters to tell Charlie's story is captivating and provides for suspense. Additionally, Wallflower provides for believability because the letters deal with a plethora of issues. Charlie doesn't focus on one particular area of life, just as real life teenagers deal with many issues and experiences. This is a great read and young adults will enjoy Charlie's honesty and the material's relevance to their own lives.
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